Pedi says give formula or rice cereal

Sharra711 · January 2012

Because my twins haven't doubled their birthweight and are off the charts with below 0% for weight.

But I'm confused, they were preemies, and their older sister was also 1-5th percentile for weight. Both their heads/heights are just fine, but they aren't gaining enough weight.

Where I don't agree with Pedi is that she says that formula has more calrories than BM, and I should "top them off" after feeds. Well... they won't even take more EMB after a feed, why would they take formula that they have never had?!?!

Does rice cereal have enough calories to help the situation? I thought that the AAP says wait till 6m before solids?!?!

I'm confused! Thoughts?!?

TIA~!

ETA- They are not acting hungry, and sleep good, and when offered a bottle of EMB they simply refuse. DD took about 0.5oz last night and then screamed at DH for holding the bottle there, and DS spit back out whatever he took from the bottle.

We do seem to make small babies, DD#1 is still 5th percentile in weight at 2.5 years.

I'm not "anti-formula" in any way, I always knew it was a possibility with twins, but if I have enough EBM to feed them after pumping, why not give them that, or at least some "special" formula that will bulk them up, vs. whatever is on the rack at Target, KWIM?

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · January 2012

Um, rice cereal is empty calories. It fills their bellies giving them an artificial full feeling. I don't really recommend this to people, but that would have me looking into a new pedi. It seems like really poor advice.

Lenaput · January 2012

How old are your LOs?

The AAP does recommend waiting until 6months. IMO, you have to do what you believe is best for your babies. If they won't take EBM, I wouldn't give them formula. Or rice cereal. Are they content after a feed(I presume yes)? Are they happy and healthy otherwise? If yes, then keep doin' what you're doin' mamma, cause you know your babies best.

Also, a friend of mine just recommended I check out kellymom.com. I've found it to be very informative. GL!

Sharra711 · January 2012

I nursed DD#1 for 13 months, so I'm not new at this, but the Pedi (whom I normally love) just has be doubting myself.

They are 4 months old, and I don't think that rice cereal will be enough to help them gain weight, even when mixed with BM. I didn't start DD#1 on solids till 6 months.

The sad part is that I just read their paperwork and they diagnosed them failure to thrive, so I feel that somehow if I don't follow the pedi's instructions, that I'm a bad mom and not giving my kids what they need KWIM?

"A 'breastfeed baby' is a best-fed baby" is the mantra in the county I live in, and the Pedi comes from a seriously pro-BFing hospital/practice so I can't understand why she's so "formula friendly" as I would call it. She basically told me that "you just can't make enough for two babies".

She also harped on me because when I pump at a missed feed, I only get a little over 1/2 what they eat in a bottle, and she feels that that's "proof" that I don't have enough milk. When we all know that's not the case. UGH!!!

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · January 2012

I think in this case I'd probably get a second opinion just to see what someone else says. The worse you could hear is something along the same lines of what your pedi is saying now. Are they acting hungry all the time? Are they having enough diapers?

Madringal · January 2012

If I am understanding this correctly , they are 4 months old and have not regained their birth weight? That would concern me.

larrysdarling · January 2012

I would be pretty concerned if they haven't regained their birth weight and they're 4 months old.

I would also get a 2nd opinion to see if there's further testing to find out why they might not have gained.

SmittyPants · January 2012

Madringal:
If I am understanding this correctly , they are 4 months old and have not regained their birth weight? That would concern me.

This would terrify me.

I know this is a breastfeeding board, but formula isn't poison. If your pediatrician recommends it for your four month old babies because they have yet to regain their birth weight, I would do it immediately.

pepomntpat · January 2012

I am concerned that your pedi has not addressed this earlier on. Please get a second opinion. It seems like your doctor is really not taking care of your babies here. I would be very concerned if your babies have not regained their birth weight at four months and no one should have let this go on so long.

Sharra711 · January 2012

pepomntpat:
I am concerned that your pedi has not addressed this earlier on. Please get a second opinion. It seems like your doctor is really not taking care of your babies here. I would be very concerned if your babies have not regained their birth weight at four months and no one should have let this go on so long.

I don't think that there were any signs for concern. They aren't acting hungry, they sleep well, and most Drs don't see you between 2 and 4 months.

Sharra711 · January 2012

Madringal:
If I am understanding this correctly , they are 4 months old and have not regained their birth weight? That would concern me.

Yeah, but the LC said that they should double by 6 and tripple by 12 months : /

- Very confused! : (

SmittyPants · January 2012

Sharra711:
pepomntpat:
I am concerned that your pedi has not addressed this earlier on. Please get a second opinion. It seems like your doctor is really not taking care of your babies here. I would be very concerned if your babies have not regained their birth weight at four months and no one should have let this go on so long.

I don't think that there were any signs for concern. They aren't acting hungry, they sleep well, and most Drs don't see you between 2 and 4 months.

I really think you need a new pediatrician. My LO didn't regain her birth weight until 3 weeks and my pediatrician was having us come in every three days to monitor her gains/losses.

BeetleLinz1125 · January 2012

SmittyPants:
Sharra711:

pepomntpat:
I am concerned that your pedi has not addressed this earlier on. Please get a second opinion. It seems like your doctor is really not taking care of your babies here. I would be very concerned if your babies have not regained their birth weight at four months and no one should have let this go on so long.

I don't think that there were any signs for concern. They aren't acting hungry, they sleep well, and most Drs don't see you between 2 and 4 months.

I really think you need a new pediatrician. My LO didn't regain her birth weight until 3 weeks and my pediatrician was having us come in every three days to monitor her gains/losses.

Agree. Please contact a new pedi. I agree that they need to be monitoring the situation much more, and doing weight checks at the very least. The rice cereal is not a solution, its possible that formula feeding may help them...their growth is very important, and should be closely monitored.

H_loves_T · January 2012

Sorry to butt in here as I don't frequent this board(although I do EP:), just checking to make sure you didn't mean that by saying they hadn't "regained their birthweight" meant they hadn't doubled their birthweight? My LO doubled her birthweight a few weeks ago at 3 months 4 weeks....but she had regained her birthweight at two weeks old... for ex., she was born 6lbs4oz, left hospital at 6lbs1oz., then at two weeks old she was 6lbs5oz. At three months she was 12lbs8oz. Was just wondering if you meant doubled birthweight which would fall more in line with your pedi just now getting concerned, etc.

pepomntpat · January 2012

Sharra711:
pepomntpat:
I am concerned that your pedi has not addressed this earlier on. Please get a second opinion. It seems like your doctor is really not taking care of your babies here. I would be very concerned if your babies have not regained their birth weight at four months and no one should have let this go on so long.

I don't think that there were any signs for concern. They aren't acting hungry, they sleep well, and most Drs don't see you between 2 and 4 months.

But a baby is supposed to regain birth weight by 2 weeks. So this is obvious neglect on your pedis part. Those babies needed to be monitored more closely if they weren't gaining by that point. I am not being critical of you. I am just very alarmed that this was allowed to go on without some kind of intervention.

Unless, you mean, like a PP said that they have not doubled their birth weight, which is less alarming.

Sharra711 · January 2012

Sorry! Yes! Double their birthweight Sleep

was late last night.

Madringal · February 2012

Sharra711:
Sorry! Yes! Double their birthweight was late last night.

Thank God!! I was really worried for those babies!

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